It's Only Words... And Words Are All I Have

   Fact: The English language is the universal language. 

   Fact: I was an English student.

   Fact: I studied in Swansea University.

   Fact: Apparently, I do not speak English.

   Proof: A man with a very heavy Irish accent working at NTL called me.

   Proof: He had to repeat himself about 5 times.

   Proof: After 5 times of repeating himself, I still could not understand him.

   

   Conclusion: I had to apologise over and over, and tell him that I didn't mean to insult him. I simply could not understand him. He just laughed and said he would call back some other time.

   Fact: I've been reading books written in English, and writing in English since I was about 4.

   Fact: Apparently, my command of the English language isn't as strong as I thought.

   Proof: My friend introduced me to her housemate, who was from China.

   Proof: He said, "Do you study computer also?" [My friend studied Computer Science.]

   Proof: I answered, "No, no." [With a vehement shake of my head.]

   Proof: He looked rather taken aback and confused.

   Proof: What he had actually said was, "My name is Peter. What's yours?"

   Conclusion: My friend hissed at me in Malay, telling me that he just told me his name was Peter. I quickly apologised and told him I misheard him. Poor boy. He must have been wondering why this strange girl was telling him that his name was not Peter.

   Fact: We speak the same language, but words can be lost in translation.

   Fact: Accents are great.

   Fact: I need to work on my hearing skills.